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librarybonanza
Age: 3rd-6th grade
Series: #1
"Dear Reader,
I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket" (featured Goodreads review)
Includes death and misery but also ingenuity and strength found in those you love.
Series: #1
"Dear Reader,
I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket" (featured Goodreads review)
Includes death and misery but also ingenuity and strength found in those you love.
Age: 7th-12th grade
Series
A tight-knit circle of five girls grow apart when Ali goes missing. Four years later, the remaining four find themselves drawn together again when a mystery person called A starts reminding them of their past deep, dark secrets and exposing their current lies.
This book is an incredibly fast read due to the four narrations that the author switches between and the tantalizing mystery of the all-knowing A. The biggest annoyance for me was the CONSTANT reminder that you are reading about a rich world. Brands out the wazoo. I would not suggest this for a more nonconformist chiquita, but this is an excellent soft read that has more depth than a flitty romance paperback. For a lighter novel, this book addresses identity (bulimia) and sexuality issues (lesbianism).
Series
A tight-knit circle of five girls grow apart when Ali goes missing. Four years later, the remaining four find themselves drawn together again when a mystery person called A starts reminding them of their past deep, dark secrets and exposing their current lies.
This book is an incredibly fast read due to the four narrations that the author switches between and the tantalizing mystery of the all-knowing A. The biggest annoyance for me was the CONSTANT reminder that you are reading about a rich world. Brands out the wazoo. I would not suggest this for a more nonconformist chiquita, but this is an excellent soft read that has more depth than a flitty romance paperback. For a lighter novel, this book addresses identity (bulimia) and sexuality issues (lesbianism).
Age: 7th-11th grade
"Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.
Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal" (Goodreads featured review).
This magical dive into a conformist world unveil the disconnection and lethargy of blaize lives living as one without unique differences and without dangerous verbosity. Stargirl is everything dangerous to Mica High. She is the Saguaro cactus in the dry desert, branching out into her surroundings. But she is far from perfect. Her desire to spread love and happiness into others' lives occasionally backfires, leaving her in confused despair. While some see her nonconformist attitude as a desire for attention, I believe it is because she strives to spread happiness and joy at all costs, celebrating all life's moments and morning with the tragic moments. Stargirl also brings up the question: why are we all so scared to be noticed?
Spinelli has a mesmerizing writing style that freshly incorporates nature, the desert environment, and deeper questions of identity and belonging.
"Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.
Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal" (Goodreads featured review).
This magical dive into a conformist world unveil the disconnection and lethargy of blaize lives living as one without unique differences and without dangerous verbosity. Stargirl is everything dangerous to Mica High. She is the Saguaro cactus in the dry desert, branching out into her surroundings. But she is far from perfect. Her desire to spread love and happiness into others' lives occasionally backfires, leaving her in confused despair. While some see her nonconformist attitude as a desire for attention, I believe it is because she strives to spread happiness and joy at all costs, celebrating all life's moments and morning with the tragic moments. Stargirl also brings up the question: why are we all so scared to be noticed?
Spinelli has a mesmerizing writing style that freshly incorporates nature, the desert environment, and deeper questions of identity and belonging.
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Age: 8th-11th grade
"Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether." Goodreads featured review
Anderson delves into the mind of a girl tortured by anorexia. Afraid that Wintergirls is more of an instruction book, adults are torn about suggesting or letting teens read it. While Lia's symptoms are real, they are frightening. In the end, Lia almost dies but realizes that she never wanted to die, only that she was always dissatisfied with her weight and found pride in her ability to lose weight. Additionally, the adults in Lia's life are disconnected, disinterested, and misinformed about Lia's inherent problem: being understood, loved, and independent.
"Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether." Goodreads featured review
Anderson delves into the mind of a girl tortured by anorexia. Afraid that Wintergirls is more of an instruction book, adults are torn about suggesting or letting teens read it. While Lia's symptoms are real, they are frightening. In the end, Lia almost dies but realizes that she never wanted to die, only that she was always dissatisfied with her weight and found pride in her ability to lose weight. Additionally, the adults in Lia's life are disconnected, disinterested, and misinformed about Lia's inherent problem: being understood, loved, and independent.
Age: 6th grade - 10th grade
"After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There's little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus." (featured Goodreads review)
Percy truly is a likeable hero with flaws that are relatable and dealt with in a sarcastic, humorous tone. The action is suspenseful and descriptive, so it may not appeal to those that don't like reading "battle tactics." The ending to the book is much more satisfying that the movie ending (not to mention that it's radically different). Issues include father-son relationship, mother-son relationship, and things not being what they appear.
"After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There's little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus." (featured Goodreads review)
Percy truly is a likeable hero with flaws that are relatable and dealt with in a sarcastic, humorous tone. The action is suspenseful and descriptive, so it may not appeal to those that don't like reading "battle tactics." The ending to the book is much more satisfying that the movie ending (not to mention that it's radically different). Issues include father-son relationship, mother-son relationship, and things not being what they appear.
Age: 3rd-4th grade
Ten years after the atom bomb hit Hiroshima, 11-year-old Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia. With hope on her side, Sadako attempts to fold 1,000 cranes to capture the benevolence of the gods. Although she strives to live, the disease eventually takes over. Coerr provides a tragic tale with care and caution of the dangers of war on the innocent.
Ten years after the atom bomb hit Hiroshima, 11-year-old Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia. With hope on her side, Sadako attempts to fold 1,000 cranes to capture the benevolence of the gods. Although she strives to live, the disease eventually takes over. Coerr provides a tragic tale with care and caution of the dangers of war on the innocent.
Age: 9th-12th grade
"High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world" (featured Goodreads author).
An excellent edition to guy fiction, Anderson really captures elements of the high school guy: video games, father-son conflict, brewing violence, hiding emotion.
"High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world" (featured Goodreads author).
An excellent edition to guy fiction, Anderson really captures elements of the high school guy: video games, father-son conflict, brewing violence, hiding emotion.
Age: 1st-3rd grade
Emi, a Japanese-American, is forced to abandon her home with her family during World War II. Her best friend Laurie gives Emi a bracelet to always remember her. Upon losing it, Emi realizes that her memories travel in her heart, not in objects.
Descriptive and sad, Uchida discusses the events more than the emotions of the characters.
Emi, a Japanese-American, is forced to abandon her home with her family during World War II. Her best friend Laurie gives Emi a bracelet to always remember her. Upon losing it, Emi realizes that her memories travel in her heart, not in objects.
Descriptive and sad, Uchida discusses the events more than the emotions of the characters.